More D7000 focusing problems

phil_b

phil_b

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Phil
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Hi all

Got a new D7000 2 weeks ago and had never been convinced on its focusing ever since. I decided to test it this morning just to see. Its way out as far as i can see.

first one is a 50mm 1.4 lens with no focus adjustment from approx 2 meters, both at f1.4

8325610658_faa697ac9c_c.jpg
[/url] 50mm-no-adjust by philip blair2011, on Flickr[/IMG]

and the same lens at -20 adjustment

8324554915_d20a3d2d51_c.jpg
[/url] 50mm--20adjust by philip blair2011, on Flickr[/IMG]

the focus point should be at 27 on the ruler. Any suggestions anyone? Am i doing the test right? I have did the same thing with a Sigma 17-70 and getting the same results.

Phil
 
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New as in new for you or brand new, first user/unopened box?
If the latter, then why not return it for a replacement.
If the former, then as it's under warranty, have Nikon either repair or replace.
Then again, as the body has the ability to adjust, maybe it's the lenses that are woefully toleranced?
Mind you, with both needing a −20 adjustment, it does seem to indicate the body more than the lenses, per se.

I'd send it off/return it, and see if that results in a lesser amount of adjusting needing done.

Out of sheer curiosity, what level does −20 equate to - half the full amount of adjustability or near maxed out?
 
Test procedure looks okay. Camera must be square to the box, on tripod (no danger of any fore-aft movement), say 2-3m distance for a 50mm lens, centre AF point positioned close-ish to the ruler, at lowest f/number.

If both your lenses are out, it points to the camera being the problem.
 
I have a D7000 I bought it new.The lenses I use on it are 300mm f2.8,70-200mm f2.8 VRII,35mm f2D, 50mm f 1.8 and 24-70mm f2.8(all bought new) all are spot on with the auto focus.But I bought a 20mm f2.8D which has had a lot of use and I need -20 to correct the focus on it.If you are using quite new lenses I think I would have the camera looked at by nikon.But for me I think that I need -20 with the old lens because it is out of tolerance.:wave:
 
The camera was brand new 2 weeks ago. Looks like it will be going back. Bit of a pain as I am heading off on holidays for a week next Sunday. Going to try another lens or 2 on it now.

Thanks guys.
 
Oh, and -20 is as much adjustment as there is and it could do with more.
 
Why settle for 2nd best?
It's not as if it's a rare camera you'll not find for sale for a long time again, so aside from the inconvenience and hassle, send it back for a replacement under Sale of Goods Act.
That said, and it's easy to say as I'm not affected, I'd look to see if you can try another body out, locally, first.
If it too was long-focusing, then you'd have to presume it's the lenses which are out of tolerance, although I'm not sure what there is in them to go slack other than motor related.
At least that'd save you having to return the camera, and either live with it or look to move the lenses on and replace them with ones that haven't gone lax.
 
Were the boxes shot on a tripod? Was the dog shot on a tripod? The reason for asking is that your shutter speed seems very low...
 
Phil, is your lens the G or D version?
Presuming it's the newer/better G variant, if DPR is to be taken at its word, then they have mentioned softness wide open, but superb at its sweet spot of f5.6-8.

Certainly looking at the images in full resolution, the Sigma (albeit at f7.1) trounces the Nikkor, but I wonder if you'd have to tweak the adjuster as much, if you tried the same test shot at the 50's acclaimed sweet spot(s)?

The adjusted setting certain has helped, but it's far from crisp like the Sigma - but then how's it look wide open at f2.8?
 
I had 2 d7000 one from wex and one from amazon with a 50mm and 35mm, both needed -20 af, even then the af was hit and miss so sent them back and bought a sony instead and hey presto af that works.
 
dejongj said:
Were the boxes shot on a tripod? Was the dog shot on a tripod? The reason for asking is that your shutter speed seems very low...
Click to expand...

The boxes were on a tripod, the dog hand held early one morning with iso 2000
The 50mm is the afs 1.4g. Trying to put up a shot now with the sigma at f2.8.
Before I bought the D7000 I had a D5100 but never tested it, for all I know it might have been as but. Maybe I am just worrying too much.
 
No the shots on the boxes are way off...However you need to shoot way faster with the dog hand held. It is looking pretty good considering your shutter speed was 1/4 of your focal length :)

I'm never that keen on those box setup shots, there are way too many variables that could go wrong. But -20 is too much of an adjustment, there shouldn't be a need for it.

Also you really need to do adjustments and testing at the shortest focal length and the lens wide open :)
 
danolive1 said:
I had 2 d7000 one from wex and one from amazon with a 50mm and 35mm, both needed -20 af, even then the af was hit and miss so sent them back and bought a sony instead and hey presto af that works.
Click to expand...

Yes, but come on...

http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/forums/showpost.php?p=5152098&postcount=1888

Testing at f9 with a 3second exposure...And many other times you were in darkness. I'm glad to hear that you have no issues with your Sony, but it never seemed you took any of our recommendations on board on how to test it properly ;)
 
Might get another go at it later, meant to be working now. Didn't think speed would matter as I was using a tripod.
 
In theory it shouldn't on the tripod...However it depends on the tripod, combined weight, the head etc..Best to eliminate absolutely everything....Get good quality light, keep your shutter speed up....iso low, aperture open...

I mean the dog picture looked pretty good considering it was handheld with a shutter speed 1/4 of the focal length...It would be stunning if it was twice the focal length in shutter speed I bet :)
 
Phil, what distance are you set up from the ceral box, etc?

Some useful info, inc lens fully wide open and zoomed when measuring and setting adjustment.

http://www.reikan.co.uk/focalweb/
http://www.northlight-images.co.uk/article_pages/cameras/1ds3_af_micoadjustment.html
http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Photography-Tips/AF-Microadjustment-Tips.aspx
http://photographylife.com/nikon-dslr-autofocus-problems

Think it'd be fair to say you'll need to be a bit more methodical in your approach, before deciding where the problem lies - lens(es) or body.
 
PJ S said:
Phil, what distance are you set up from the ceral box, etc?

Some useful info, inc lens fully wide open and zoomed when measuring and setting adjustment.

http://www.reikan.co.uk/focalweb/
http://www.northlight-images.co.uk/article_pages/cameras/1ds3_af_micoadjustment.html
http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Photography-Tips/AF-Microadjustment-Tips.aspx
http://photographylife.com/nikon-dslr-autofocus-problems

Think it'd be fair to say you'll need to be a bit more methodical in your approach, before deciding where the problem lies - lens(es) or body.
Click to expand...

Thanks Phil, had a quick read through those links. Will have to have another go at it when I get a chance.

Phil
 
Tbh I would shoot some real world stuff as suggested earlier instead of looking for issues :) get your shutter speed up and that dog photo would have been great.
 
Send it back, it'll drive you nuts if you settle for stopping down lenses. That's not on!

I sent a lens straight back yesterday because it was off focusing [seemed to do a bit of both front & back! depending on the distance to] - I did all the tests, with text flat on a wall, batteries at an angle, real world shots etc ... it just wasn't right. So off it went. I paid €1000 for it, I wasn't accepting it even if micro adjusting worked [it didn't] - as much as I wanted the lens, brand new with issues is not good enough.
 
Cagey75 said:
Send it back, it'll drive you nuts if you settle for stopping down lenses. That's not on!

I sent a lens straight back yesterday because it was off focusing [seemed to do a bit of both front & back! depending on the distance to] - I did all the tests, with text flat on a wall, batteries at an angle, real world shots etc ... it just wasn't right. So off it went. I paid €1000 for it, I wasn't accepting it even if micro adjusting worked [it didn't] - as much as I wanted the lens, brand new with issues is not good enough.
Click to expand...

Just to be clear - send the Body back or the Lens? I assume the body as it consistently back focuses.
 
My post was aimed at the OP, but if you're having similar with a body + lens, I'd send both packing.
 
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